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China-EU relations
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Beijing lodges diplomatic protests over Taiwan official’s visit to Italy

European Parliament official says conference attendance by Hsiao Bi-khim was kept confidential to safeguard her participation

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Beijing has made “serious representations against Italy and the European Union” over a visit by Taiwan’s Hsiao Bi-khim to an international forum on Ventotene Island. Photo: Shutterstock
Carol Yangin Beijing

Beijing has strongly condemned a visit to Italy by senior Taiwanese officials and lodged formal diplomatic protests with both Rome and Brussels.

Criticising the visit on Friday, foreign ministry spokeswoman Mao Ning said Beijing had submitted “serious representations against Italy and the European Union” following reports that Taiwan’s No 2 official, Hsiao Bi-khim, had arrived in Italy to attend an international forum.

“[Taiwan’s] Democratic Progressive Party authorities and individual politicians have spared no effort to seek attention everywhere, attempting to pursue independence under the guise of democracy and freedom,” Mao said. “Their moves are truly despicable, and futile.”

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Beijing sees Taiwan as part of China to be reunited by force if necessary. Most countries, including the United States and Italy, do not recognise Taiwan as an independent state, but Washington is opposed to any attempt to take the self-ruled island by force and is committed to supplying it with weapons.

Italy, like most countries, has no formal diplomatic ties with Taiwan.

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